Location: San Juan County – Other, WA
Job Type: Internship
Job Number: 2023-08949
Department: Parks and Recreation Commission
Opening Date: 07/19/2023
Closing Date: 9/8/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Closes: September 8th, 2023. The hiring manager has the authority to make a hiring decision at any time and this recruitment may close before September 8th, 2023. It is in the candidate’s best interest to apply as soon as possible as applications are being considered as they are submitted.

Come serve in the San Juan Islands – one of the most unique park areas in Washington State! Interpretive Naturalists specialize in connecting youth, the community, and park visitors to the incredible resources available here. The service term for this position is October 1, 2023, through August 15, 2024.

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission cares for Washington’s most treasured lands, waters and historic places. State Parks connect all Washingtonians (and everyone else who visits!) to diverse natural and cultural heritage and provide memorable recreation and education experiences that enhance their lives. We partner with the Washington Service Corps (Washington’s branch of Americorps) to offer these fantastic opportunities in our beautiful settings.  Many people join AmeriCorps solely to help those in need, while some join to gain professional development skills or “try out” a position similar to one they’re thinking of making a career in – such as teaching or environmental habitat restoration. Whatever the initial reason, by the end of their service term, AmeriCorps members realize the impact that the service itself has had on them; forever changing the way they view and interact with the world around them.

Benefits for this position are through the Washington State Service Corps. Americorps benefits include:

  • Minimum monthly stipend of $1,676.19 before deductions and withholdings
  • Up to a $6,895 education award that can be used for future schooling or to pay off existing qualified student loan debt (upon successful completion of the service term, subject to federal tax)
  • Basic health insurance (not including vision coverage, and for full-time service terms only)
  • 24/7 professional counseling and support services
  • Workers compensation coverage
  • Assistance with childcare costs (full-time service terms only)
  • Forbearance (temporarily postponing paying off a loan) of qualified student loans during the service term
  • Payment of interest on qualified student loans that accrued during the service term (paid after successful completion of service term)
  • Serving in a full-time AmeriCorps position qualifies as “employment” towards the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program

Housing:  The Interpretive Naturalist position at Moran State Park also comes with a very low-cost bunk style housing option for the term which is $50/month.

Duties

Moran State Park is part of the greater San Juan Park Area, which serves a community spread out across dozens of islands in the San Juan Archipelago. Service members will have the opportunity to interact with many different facets of our community including schools, libraries, museums, and non-profit organizations. In the park, members will educate locals and visitors from across the world alike, connecting them to the resources available with the area’s parks. Primary position duties include youth and community outreach, creating and delivering formal and informal interpretive programs within the San Juan Area parks, assisting in or leading park and community events, working closely with volunteers and local non-profits, and participating in stewardship activities such as noxious weed removal and trail maintenance. Members will educate youth and visitors about marine life, forest environments, cultural history and other natural and historical subjects at Moran State Park (primary duty station) and other Area parks as needed. Through education and various projects, the visitor will be better educated to take care of the park and his or her community, and island resources will be better protected.  

Required Qualifications:

  • 18 years of age or older.
  • High school graduate.

Desirable qualifications:

  • College graduate.

HOW TO APPLY:
You must apply for this position at Washington Service Corps. Note: Prior to starting an Americorps service member role, a background check and finger printing, including criminal record history will be conducted by Americorps.

For more information: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4118873/americorps-interpretive-naturalist-internship

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